Shipboard toppling cranes



w. T. SPARROW ETAL 3,227,286

SHIPBOARD TOPPLING GRANES Jan. 4, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 24, 1963 INVENTORS WILLIAM T SDARRON JAMES E). MONTGOMERY ATTORNEYS Jan. 4, 1966 w. T. SPARROW ETAL 3,227,286

SHIPBOARD TOPPLING CRANE-s Filed Oct. 24, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS T PARROW ifih E B. MONTGOMERY lag/MM? 1m ATTORNEYS Jan. 4, 1966 w. T. SPARROW ETAL SHIPBOARD TOPPLING CRANES Filed Oct. 24, 1963 5 SheetsSheet 5 INVENTORfi IAM T. SPAQRQW 'xhts E). MONTGOME BWJ )flm ATTORNEYS Jan. 4, 1966 w. T. SPARROW ETAL 3,227,286

SHIPBOARD TOPPLING CRANES Filed Oct. 24, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS WILLIAM T. SPARROW JAMES B. MONTGOMERY ZZ, (a

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 7 3,227,286 SHIPBOARD TOPPLING CRANES William T. Sparrow, Hampton, and James B. Montgomery, Newport News, Va., assignors to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Newport News, Va., a corporation of Virginia Filed Oct. 2.4, 1963, Ser. No. 337,115 The portion of the term of the patent subsequent to Nov. 12, 1980, has been disclaimed 7 Claims. (Cl. 2123) The present application is a continuation-in-part of copending US. patent application Serial No. 170,165, filed January 31, 1962, now US. Patent No. 3,110,403.

The present invention relates to new and novel cargo handling apparatus, and more particularly to heavy lift gear.

In addition to the conventional rig employed for load ing and discharging cargo, cargo vessels are generally provided with a heavy lift or jumbo boom for handling cargo which is too heavy to lift with the regular ships gear. Since this heavy lift gear adds top weight and is expensive to install and maintain, it is usually rigged at only one hatch of the ship. Sometimes provision is made for utilizing the same heavy lift gear at an additional hatch by dismantling the heavy lift gear, removing it, and then reassembling it. The extra fittings required for carrying out this procedure add to the weight and expense of the rig and the operation is very time-consuming.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an arrangement whereby the same heavy lift boom structure can be employed at more than one hatch, that is to say, at one hatch forward of the boom step and at another hatch aft of the boom step. Prior art arrangements have been provided for utilizing the same heavy lift boom at two difierent hatches without disassembling the gear, but such prior art arrangements require the use of special, complicated and expensive fittings and mechanisms, and further require carefull coordination of operations when switching from one hatch to another.

The arrangement of the present invention provides a heavy lift boom arrangement which is constructed to be employed with equal facility at a hatch both fore and aft of the boom step. No special blocks or complicated mechanisms are required in the present invention, and a particular advantage of the arrangement herein disclosed is that equipment readily available in conventional rigs can be employed for shifting the boom for use at either hatch.

In the arrangement of the present invention, the heel of the boom is mounted for substantially universal movement, and a topping lift attachment means is rigidly secured to the head portion of the boom, this attachment means being swivelly connected to a topping lift which is in turn connected with topping lift blocks supported at the upper ends of the king posts of the mast structure. The arrangement is such that the heavy lift boom can be swung fore and aft through a plane extending through the longitudinal axes of the king posts.

The cargo fall of the present invention includes an upper purchase block which is supported from a cargo fall support means mounted at the head portion of the boom. This cargo fall support means is rotatably mounted with respect to the boom and is axially fixed with respect thereto. This permits the cargo fall support means to be swung from side to side of the boom such that in moving from one hatch to another, the cargo support means can be swung through an angle of 180 for disposing the upper purchase block in proper operative position with respect to the boom over either of the two hatches with which the boom isemployedr Patented Jan. 4, 1966 The boom can be readily swung through the aforedescribed plane and the cargo fall support means rotated by attaching a pendant to the cargo hook and pulling the hook and lower purchase block through between the king posts, the pendent being led through a guide in the form of a padeye or the like and thence to a winch or other suitable means for applying the necessary force to the pendant.

A particular advantage in the operation of the device when moving from one hatch to the other is that it is only necessary to operate the topping gear while the hoisting gear remains idle. The apparatus is easily operated with a minimum of eifort and with very little chance of damage due to mishandling or improper maintenance, and furthermore, replacement parts are readily available.

A modification of the structure of the present invention offers certain particular advantages. This modified form of the invention is readily adaptable for use with present-day boom structure since it includes a separate tubular member which can be readily welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the open upper end of a con ventional boom. This modified form of the invention also includes a novel structural arrangement whereby the cargo fall support means is journalled for easy rotation with respectl to the supporting structure thereby enabling the operation of moving from one hatch to another to be more readily carried out.

A further important feature of this modified form of the invention is the provision of cooperating anti-friction bearing means on the upper purchase block and the adjacent portion of the boom. This anti-friction bearing means facilitates movement of the upper purchase block around the boom particularly when moving from one hatch to the other when the boom is in its upright or vertical position. It has been found in actual practice that the upper purchase block has a tendency to drag and possibly become jammed against the boom thereby presenting considerably more difliculty in swinging the cargo fall means from one side to the other of the boom. This anti-friction bearing means has been found to substantially eliminate this difficulty.

A further object of the invention is the provision of cargo handling apparatus which is readily adaptable for use and mounting upon present boom structures.

Another object of the invention is to provide cargo handling apparatus including a rotatably mounted cargo fall support means which is journalled for easy rotation with respect to its supporting structure.

Yet a further object of the invention is to provide means in cargo handling apparatus for facilitating movement of the upper purchase block around the adjacent portion of the boom particularly when swinging the upper purchase block from one side of the boom to the other when the boom is in a substantially vertical position.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of cargo handling apparatus which is relatively simple and inexpensive in construction, and yet which is sturdy, reliable and eflicient in use.

Other objects and many attendant advantages of the invention will become more apparent when considered in connection with the specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the apparatus according to the present invention as mounted on a ship;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 taken along line 22 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows in an intermediate position wherein the boom apparatus is being moved from a position over one hatch to a position over the other hatch;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with the winch mechanism removed;

FIG. 4 is a view partly in section through the outer end portion of the head of the boom and illustrating the details of construction of the topping lift attachment means and the cargo fall support means;

FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view illustrating the manner of assembly of the components shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 6-6 of FIG. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a view partly broken away illustrating the mode of mounting the heel portion of the boom;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one of the components shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a modified form of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal section through the structure shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 1111 of FIG. 10 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 12 is a front elevation of the structure shown in FIG. 9 illustrating the manner in which the topping lift means and the cargo fall means is supported by the structure.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, as seen most clearly in FIGS. 1-3, a portion of a cargo ship is indicated generally by reference numeral 10, the upper deck of the shiphaving the usual bulwarks 11 extending fore and aft at the sides of the deck, a forward hold having three hatch covers 13, 14 and 15 disposed thereover, and an aft hold having three hatch covers 16, 17 and 18 disposed thereover.

A winch house 20 is disposed between the fore and aft hatches and serves to support the heavy lift gear mechanism hereinafter described. It should be understood that the usual ships gear for loading and discharging cargo would also be mounted on and adjacent to the winch house, but the conventional gear has been eliminated from the drawings for the sake of simplicity in order that the heavy lift boom mechanism may be more readily understood. For example, the conventional gear which may be employed along with the heavy lift boom mechanism as shown herein may be of the type as shown in Marine Cargo Operations, by Charles L. Sauerbier, published by John Wiley & Sons, copyrighted 1956.

A pair of king posts and 26 extend upwardly from the winch house 20, the king posts being spaced apart athwart ships as shown particularly in FIG. 1, and being of a symmetrical tapered configuration as indicated in FIG. 2.

A pair of laterally inwardly projecting lead block brackets 27 and 28 are provided, these lead block brackets being respectively fixed to the upper end of king posts 25 and 26. Single topping lift lead blocks 30 and 31 are movably supported from brackets 27 and 28 respectively.

A pair of swivel members 32 and 33 are rotatably supported on upwardly extending journal portions provided at the top of the king posts 25 and 26 respectively, the king posts including cap plate members 35 and 36 respectively which extend in overlying relationship to the journal portions for retaining the swivel member in operative position as shown. A pair of multiple sheave topping lift king post blocks 38 and 39 are provided, these blocks each including a pair of spaced integral ears 38' and 39 respectively, these ears being pivotally supported by the outwardly projecting end portions of swivel members 32 and 33 respectively, whereby these blocks are pivotally supported by the respective swivel members which are in turn rotatably supported at the upper ends of the king posts.

A heavy lift boom 40 is provided, this boom being provided with a lower or heel portion indicated generally by reference numeral 41, and an upper or head portion indicated generally by reference numeral 42. The boom is mounted such that the lower or heel portion thereof is substantially universally mounted, and as seen particularly in FIG. 7, the heel portion of the boom is bifurcated so as to provide two downwardly extending spaced portions 43 and 44 having bores 43 and 44' formed therethrough respectively. A boom support member as seen particularly in FIG. 8 indicated generally by reference numeral 45 is provided with a downwardly extending substantially cylindrical shank portion 46, an outwardly extending annular fiange 47 being formed at an intermediate portion thereof, and an upwardly extending portion 48 being provided with an opening 49 extending completely therethrough.

As seen in FIG. 7, a heel pin 52 is supported within the aligned openings 43', 44 and 49 for pivotally sup porting the boom about the axis of the heel pin. In addition, the shank portion 46 of the support member is rotatably supported within a recess provided in the boom pedestal 55, and accordingly, the support member 45 is adapted to rotate about the vertically extending longitudinal axis thereof with respect to the boom pedestal.

As will be noted particularly in FIG. 1, the boom pedestal is disposed at a central portion of the winch house 20, and the vertical axis of rotation of support member 45 is disposed along a center line passing through the longitudinal axes of the two king posts 25 and 26. It will also be understood that the horizontal boom heel pin axis is centered about the vertical axis of support member 45.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the head portion 42 of the heavy lift boom is shown, and an enlarged annular collar 56 is formed on the boom, the outermost end portion 57 of the boom being of reduced diameter. A cargo fall support means or sleeve 60 is provided, this sleeve including a main tubular portion 61 which has a bore therethrough adapted to snugly receive the reduced por' tion 57 of the boom, whereby the support means is adapted to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the boom. Formed integral with the main tubular body portion 61 is a laterally extending pad 62 having an opening 63 provided through the outer portion thereof for supporting the upper purchase block hereinafter described.

As seen in FIG. 5, when assembling the apparatus at the head portion of the boom, the cargo fall support means 60 is slipped over the reduced end portion 57 of the boom and slid thereon to a point such that the lower edge portion 65 thereof engages the annular collar 56 formed on the boom, thereby limiting axial movement of the support means.

A topping lift attachment means indicated generally by reference numeral 68 comprises a tubular body portion 69 having a bore therein which snugly receives the outermost part of the reduced end portion 57 of the boom, a main spanning plate member 76 being secured as by welding indicated at 71 to the outermost end portion of tubular body portion 69, plate being elongated as particularly seen in FIG. 5 with a pair of angularly spaced cars 73 and 74 at the opposite ends thereof, these ears being provided with openings 75 and 76 formed therethrough respectively.

In order to reinforce and strengthen the structure of the topping lift attachment means, a pair of gusset plates 79 and 80 are welded between the outer surface of tubular body portion 69 and the under surface of plate member 70. After having placed the cargo fall support means 60 in operative position as aforedescribed, the toping lift attachment means 68 is slipped over the outermost end of the reduced portion 57 of the boom and then suitably secured in operative position as by welding or any other suitable means.

After the completion of this assembly, it is apparent that member 68 is fixed to the outer end of the boom while member 66 is fixed against axial movement with respect to the boom since the lower end of tubular portion 69 of the member 68 is adjacent the upper end of the tubular of member 68 is parallel with the axis of the boom heel pin 52 and furthermore, fitting 63 is symmetrical about a plane passing through the boom axis and the boom heel pin axis. A multiple sheave topping lift boom head block 83 is connected by means of a chain 84 to ear 74 of fitting 68, and a similar multiple sheave topping lift boom head block 85 is connected by means of chain 86 to ear 73 of fitting 68. It is apparent that chains 84 and 86 will serve to swivelly connect the associated blocks 83 and 85 to the associated ears of fitting 63.

A topping lift cable 90 is reeved through topping lift blocks 38, 83 and 30 and passes downwardly and is connected either to a topping winch 91 or through a fair lead and thence to the Winch. A topping lift cable 92 is reeved through topping lift blocks 39, 85 and 31 and to a second topping winch 93 or through a suitable fair lead and thence to the topping winch. It is apparent that the topping lifts are, attached to the tops of the king posts in such a manner that it will provide a wide range of operation from forward-and-outboard through any inboard angle to aft-and-outboard.

In operation, either fore or aft of the king posts, the boom is handled just like a conventional split topping rig, and it will be seen that in FIG. 1, the boom is dis- .posed over the forward hatch.

As seen particularly in FIGS. 2 and 3, an upper purchase block 100 is supported by suitable means such as a chain or the like 101 from the pad 62 of the cargo fall support means 60. A lower purchase block 103 has supported therefrom a conventional cargo hook 104, and a cargo fall cable 105 is recved through the upper and ,lower purchase blocks and thence downwardly through a cargo purchase lead block 107 to a cargo winch 108. It will be noted'that the cargo purchase lead block is disposed abreast the heel of the boom and is disposed substantially along a center line extending between the longitudinal axes of the king posts. A pair of guide means 110 and 111' which may be in the form of padeyes or the like are secured to the upper surface of the winch erally on the same side of the heel portion of the boom.

' Assuming that the heavy lift boom is initially employed for loading and unloading with respect to the forward hatch, and it is desired to shift the boom such that it can be operated in conjunction with the aft hatch, the topping lift mechanism is utilized to swing the boom toward the plane passing through the axes of the king posts, and the boom is topped as high as possible, utilizing the topping lift gear, the hoist gear being idled during this operation. A pendant or other suitable means is then atftached to the cargo hook, this pendant being indicated j by phantom line 115 in FIG. 2. The pendant is then preferably passed through the guide means 111 and thence to a winch or other suitable means. Then, by pulling on 1 the pendant the cargo hook is pulled through between the boom and king post 25, that is to say, the cargo hook is swung around on the same side of the boom as the cargo purchase lead block. By so pulling on the pendant, fthe cargo fall support means 60 will be rotated through i an angle of approximately lSO", and the boom head will pass over dead center through the plane passing through the longitudinal axes of the two king posts, and the boom the cargo purchase lead block 107 also being offset lat- 5 mechanism will then be in position to be lowered on the aft side of the king post for operating with the aft hatch, it being evident that the cargo purchase blocks will then be in the proper working position below the boom.

In moving the boom back again for operation with the forward hatch, the procedure is reversed, the boom first being topped as high as possible from the aft hatch, a pendant then being attached to the cargo hook, and the pendant then being passed through guide means and thence to a winch or the like. Pulling on the pendant will then serve to pull the cargo hook and lower purchase block back between the boom and king post 25, the cargo fall support means 60 again rotating through an angle of approximately 180 and the boom moving back over dead center to the forward side of the king posts.

It is important to note that during movement of the boom from a forward to an aft position and vice versa, it is merely necessary to operate the topping lift gear while the hoisting gear remains idle. This eliminates the necessity of providing any coordination of operation of the hoisting and the topping lift gears during the shifting process.

It will also be noted that FIG. 2 indicates the position of the components during movement of the cargo hook and lower purchase block from one side to the other,

i with the cargo fall support means 60 being shown in the position it occupies after rotating approximately 90.

The phantom line positions shown in FIG. 2 indicate outboard positions of the boom.

FIG. 3 illustrates in solid lines the position of the boom over the forward hatch, while the position indicated by phantom line C indicates the approximate dead center line of the boom, phantom line position A of this figure illustrating the position of the boom in overlying relationship to the aft hatch.

In addition to the specific arrangement shown, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the rig as described above can be modified to permit the use of dual leads from the upper cargo purchase block to two winches, or to permit the use of an upper cargo lead block near the upper cargo purchase block.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 through 12 inclusive, a modified form of the invention is illustrated wherein the upper end of the boom is indicated generally by reference numeral 120, a substantially annular bearing member 122 being wrapped around a substantial portion of the boom, member 122 being formed of a suitable metallic substance which is adapted to cooperate with the anti-friction means on the upper purchase block as hereinafter described so as to afford a minimum of resistance to movement of the upper purchase block about the boom. Bearing member 122 actually provides a surface or track upon which the roller hereinafter described is adapted to run.

A tubular member 125 is secured to the open upper end of the boom and includes a reduced portion 126 which fits within the open upper end of the boom, tubular member 1125 being retained in fixed operative position at the end of the boom by means of welds 127 and 128, weld portions 128 being formed through suitable circumfer entially extending slots provided in the upper end of boom 120.

Tubular member 125 includes a substantially cylindrical upwardly extending portion 130 having a web plate 132 secured between opposite portions of the inner surface thereof for reinforcing the upper end of this cylindrical portion. As seen in FIG. 10, the cylindrical portion 6 having a central bore 142 formed in the under surface thereof which is adapted to have a neat fit on the upper end of tubular member 125. The casting is provided with holes aligned with the diametrically opposite holes 134 formed in the upper end of the tubular member, and three nut and bolt assemblies 144 are provided, the bolts extending through the aligned openings provided in members and for thereby securing the casting 140 in fixed relationship on the upper end of the tubular member.

Casting 140 is provided with a pair of radially outwardly extending ear'portions 146 and 148 extending from diametrically opposite sides thereof, these ear portions being provided with holes 146 and 148' respectively which are adapted to receive portions of the topping lift means in the same manner as are the holes 75 and 76 provided in the ears 73 and 74 of the previously described modification.

The lower portion of casting 140 is provided with a pair of spaced peripherally extending flange portions 150 having suitable grooves formed therein which communicate with grease fittings 151, the grooves being disposed in communication with the peripherally extending annular groove 152 formed around the under surface of the casting, groove 152 being adapted to receive the upper end of the sleeve member hereinafter described.

The lower portion of tubular member 125 is provided with an upwardly'extending peripheral flange portion 155 which is spaced from the outer cylindrical surface of the portion 130 and provides therebetween an annular shoulder which supports an'annular bushing 157. A substantially cylindrical bushing 158 is disposed adjacent bushing 157 around the adjacent portion of portion 130 of the tubular member. A substantially cylindrical bushing 160 is disposed in vertically spaced relationship to bushing 153 as seen in FIG. 10 and also is disposed in surrounding relationship to the adjacent portion of portion 130 of the tubular member.

Bushings 157, 158 and 161) serve to rotatably journal a sleeve member 162 for free rotation about the outer surface of the tubular member. It will be noted that sleeve member 162 includes an upwardly extending peripheral flange portion 164 which fits within the groove 152 in the under surface of casting 140, an annular O ring seal 165 being provided betweenflange portion 164 and the adjacent outer surface of the groove 152. A grease fitting 166 is provided for introducing lubricant into the area adjacent bushing 160.

The lower end of sleeve member 162 includes a downwardly facing circumferentially extending groove 170 which is adapted to receive the upwardly extending peripheral flange 155 on tubular member 125. A substantially circular O-ring seal 171 is disposed between the outer surface of flange portion 155 in the adjacent surface of the groove 170 for providing a seal thereat. A grease fitting 173 is provided for introducing lubricant into the area adjacent bushings 157 and 158.

It will be apparent that the aforedescribed structure provides an eflicient bearing means whereby sleeve 162 is mounted for free and ready rotation about the outer surface of the tubular member 125.

The cargo fall support means or sleeve 162 includes a pair of radially outwardly extending ears 175 each of which has a hole 176 formed therethrough. These holes are adapted to receive a swivel pin 18%) which pivotally interconnects one end of a connecting link 182 with the ears 175 and the sleeve 162. The opposite end of link 182 is connected by means of afurther swivel pin 184 with an upper purchase block indicated generally by reference numeral 186 and corresponding in function to the upper purchase block 100 of the previously described modification.

Anti-friction bearing means is supported by the upper purchase block and is indicated generally by reference numeral 190. Means 190 includes a pair of plates 192 and 194 secured to one .side plate of the upper purchase block 186, plates 194 and 192 being interconnected by a cross brace member 195. The outer ends of plates 194 and 195 support a roller member 197 formed for example of brass or similar anti-friction material, this roller being supported on a nut and bolt assembly 198 supported between the outer spaced ends of plates 192 and 194. It is apparent that when the boom is in its vertical position and the upper purchase block is swung from one side to the other of the boom, the roller 197 Will run along the bearing member 122 on the boom thereby providing a minimum of resistance to movement of the upper purchase block and facilitating ready movement thereof around the boom.

The topping lift attachment means is connected with suitable topping lift means as in the previously described modification, and as seen in FIG. 12 this topping lift means is indicated by a shackle 20ft pivotally connected with a link 202 which is in turn connected with a link 2294 which is connected with a topping lift block 206. The topping lift means is illustrated in phantom lines and can be of any suitable conventional form.

It is apparent from the foregoing that there is provided new and novel cargo handling apparatus including a heavy lift boom construction which may be utilized with two hatches, one of the hatches being disposed forward of the boom step and one of the hatches being disposed aft of the boom step. No special blocks or complicated mechanisms are required for operating and shifting the boom mechanism, and the hoisting gear remains idle while the boom is being shifted from a forward to an aft position and vice versa. The components necessary for operating the structure are readily available, and the arrangement may be easily operated with little chance of damage from mishandling or improper maintenance.

It is further apparent that in the modified form of the invention shown in FIGS. 9 through 12, the invention is readily adaptable for use with present boom structures and means is provided for rotatably journalling the cargo fall support means for easy rotation about the head portion of the boom. The cooperating bearing means on the upper purchase block and on the boom provide a means for facilitating movement of the upper purchase block around the boom when it is in vertical position and the purchase block is being swung from one side to the other thereof.

Replacement parts are, of course, readily available for this type of apparatus. The over-all structure is quite simple and inexpensive in construction, and yet is sturdy, reliable and efiicient in use.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, and since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as Well as conjointly cooperative equivalents are therefore intended to be embraced by those claims.

We claim:

1. Cargo handling apparatus comprising a mast structure, a heavy lift boom having a heel portion and a. head portion, means mounting the heel portion of the boom for substantially universal movement, topping lift means connected between said mast structure and said boom, cargo fall support means mounted at the head portion of said boom, said cargo fall support means being movably mounted with respect to said head portion, and cargo fall means supporfted by said cargo fall support means, means for receiving and guiding a portion of said cargo fall means supported by said cargo fall support means, means boom to permit the boom to be moved into any operative position without removing the cargo fall means from the associated receiving and guiding means, said cargo fall support means including a substantially cylindrical sleeve member disposed in spaced relationship to the outer surface of the head portion of said boom, and bearing means rotatably journalling said sleeve member for free rotation about said head portion of the boom, an upper purchase block, means connecting'said upper purchase block with said cargo fall support means for movement with respect thereto, and anti-friction heating means supported on said upper purchase block and extending toward said boom for engaging a portion on said boom for facilitating movement of said upper purchase block around said boom portion.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said antifriction bearing means supported on said upper purchase block comprises a roller assembly.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said boom includes a bearing portion for engaging said anti-friction bearing means on said upper purchase block.

4. Cargo handling apparatus comprising mast structure including a pair of spaced king posts, a heavy lift boom having a heel portion and a head portion, means mounting said heel portion substantially on a center line extending between said king posts for substantially universal movement, topping lift attachment means fixedly secured to the head portion of said boom, topping lift means connected between said king posts and said topping lift attachment means, cargo fall support means mounted at the head portion of said boom and being rotatably mounted with respect to the boom but axially fixed with respect thereto, and cargo fall means supported by said cargo fall support means, said cargo fall means including an upper purchase block pivotally interconnected with said cargo fall support means, and anti-friction bearing means supported by said upper purchase block and extending toward said boom for engaging a portion on said boom for facilitating movement of said upper purchase block around said boom.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said antifriction bearing means comprises a roller assembly.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said boom includes a bearing portion disposed around a substantial area thereof and adapted to engage said roller assembly.

7. Cargo handling apparatus comprising mast structure including a pair of spaced king posts, a heavy lift boom having a heel portion and a head portion, means mounting said heel portion substantially on a center line extending between said king posts for substantially universal movement, the head portion of said boom including a separate tubular member, topping lift attachment means, means detachably securing said topping lift attachment means in fixed position at the upper portion of said tubular member, topping lift means connected between said king posts and said topping lift attachment means, cargo fall support means mounted at the head portion of said boom and including a tubular sleeve member, bushing means supported on said tubular member and rotatably journalling said sleeve member for rotation with respect to said tubular member, said sleeve member being axially fixed with respect to said tubular member, an upper purchase block, means interconnecting said upper purchase block with said sleeve member and for movement with respect thereto, an anti-friction bearing means supported by said upper purchase block and extending toward said boom. and cooperating bearing means supported on said boom for engaging said anti-friction bearing means for facilitating movement of said upper purchase block around said boom.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,042,222 7/1962 Lehmann 212-3 3,107,790 10/1963 Lehmann 2123 3,110,403 11/1963 Sparrow 212-3 FOREIGN PATENTS 937,115 9/1963 Great Britain.

HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner.

ANDRES H. NIELSEN, SAMUEL F. COLEMAN,

Examiners.

A. L. LEVINE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. CARGO HANDLING APPARATUS COMPRISING A MAST STRUCTURE, A HEAVY LIFT BOOM HAVING A HEEL PORTION AND A HEAD PORTION, MEANS MOUNTING THE HEEL PORTION OF THE BOOM FOR SUBSTANTIALLY UNIVERSAL MOVEMENT, TOPPING LIFT MEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID MAST STRUCTURE AND SAID BOOM, CARGO FALL SUPPORT MEANS MOUNTED AT THE HEAD PORTION OF SAID BOOM, SAID CARGO FALL SUPPORT MEANS BEING MOVABLY MOUNTED WITH RESPECT TO SAID HEAD PORTION, AND A CARGO FALL MEANS SUPPORTED BY SAID CARGO FALL SUPPORT MEANS, MEANS FOR RECEIVING AND GUIDING A PORTION OF SAID CARGO FALL MEANS SUPPORTED BY SAID CARGO FALL SUPPORT MEANS, MEANS BOOM TO PERMIT THE BOOM TO BE MOVED INTO ANY OPERATIVE POSITION WITHOUT REMOVING THE CARGO FALL MEANS FROM THE ASSOCIATED RECEIVING AND GUIDING MEANS, SAID CARGO FALL SUPPORT MEANS INCLUDING A SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL SLEEVE MEMBER DISPOSED IN SPACED RELATIONSHIP TO THE OUTER SUR- 